Years ago a Thai friend of mine asked me who Jimmy Cagney was. I'm not sure which Cagney film I showed him (definitely not this one), and after it was over my friend said, "Do Americans think that is good acting?" Now, every time I watch a Jimmy Cagney film I think back to that comment, and frankly, most of the time I conclude that Cagney is not a great, nor even a very good actor. Yet, there was something special about him. Perhaps a screen presence which superseded acting. Unfortunately, by 1956, an old Jimmy Cagney (aged 57, though he seems older) no longer had that screen presence (probably a major reason this film lost money). I'm 64. I don't know ANYONE who walks like that, moves like that, talks like that; it's not real. At this point in his career, Cagney was seemingly becoming a caricature of himself.But actually, this is a good film...just a poor choice for the lead. Somehow, Cagney on a horse just doesn't sit right...so to speak. It's one of those sorta "big" Westerns, with spectacular scenery, a decent story, and some good actors. So if you're watching this for Jimmy Cagney, you may be disappointed. If you're watching this just as a Western, you'll probably enjoy it despite Jimmy Cagney...and it is a cut above most Westerns.The plot is mostly pretty interesting. A man has a streak of cruelty in him that leads him to want to hang anyone who steals from him. Just why a much younger Irene Papas (in her American debut) would be so attracted to him...well, that's a hole in the plot. Along comes a young cowboy-to-be (Don Dubbins) who develops romantic feelings for Papas, father/son feelings for Cagney...until he learns more about who Cagney really is (in terms of behavior).Don Dubbins is very good here as the young man, although I guess I would never have seen him as a future lead actor (and he wasn't). Stephen McNally plays the really bad guy well. Irene Papas, despite the illogical aspect of her character, does nicely here. Vic Morrow is overrated as a young man beginning to move toward the wrong side of things; he thought he was James Dean...he wasn't.I'm glad I watched this film. Once. Cagney's career was winding down...and perhaps that was good. Because it's much better to enjoy his earlier films, such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy".

With a Greek thespian such as highly talented Irene Papas ,playing the part of an ex-dancer called "Jocasta ",and a young boy working in her companion's ranch,I was waiting for an Oedipian western,and it is ,in a way ,as "Jo" is like a mother to Steve,writing letters for his mom,and urging him to leave this place before he becomes like "them"...And of course ,the boy falls for her...But the movie avoids metaphysical pretensions and focuses on the way events,Jo and Jeremy (James Cagney) make a man of him -that's what the young lad says in the first minutes-.Superbly filmed with splendid colors and a good use of the wide screen ,the plot revolves around Jeremy and his horses.Jeremy is an ambiguous character (check the title which is thoroughly appropriate: does a "bad" man deserve a tribute?) Rodock can be very cruel ,a cruelty which culminates in a scene where he forces the thieves to walk some miles on a rocky trail without their boots.But he shows in the last scenes that he longs to be loved too.Hats off to Robert Wise,a director who could excel in westerns ,Musicals ("West Side Story") ,horror movies ("the haunting" (1963!) is better than any horror movie I can think of) ,sci-fi ("the day the earth stood still") ,films noirs ("the set up" " odds against tomorrow " )and made the best movie dealing with death row ("I want to live" )!

A tough and self-reliant rancher and landowner called Jeremy Roderick (James Cagney , though Spencer Tracy was cast as but was replaced , he complained and procrastinated about working on that location because of the altitude of working in the Rockies) will fight against anybody that attempt to rob his possessions . He's loved by a woman (Irene Papas) who lives in his home and hires a cowboy called Steve Miller (Don Dubbins , though Robert Francis was originally cast but he died in a plane crash) when is originated the classic triangle . The arrogant rancher will confront rustlers and he'll carry out the hanging's law (also called Lynch's law) against those . James Cagney's interpretation is outstanding , he plays magnificently as a pride and cruel proprietary , a merciless baron land . Irene Papas in her first movie is sweet and enjoyable , she demonstrates the excellent actress to result to be in the future with a career of successes that today continues . The third starring Don Dubbins is feeble , his career was a flop and barely made films after . The original cast were Spencer Tracy and Grace Kelly , however Tracy was dismissed but had complications with director Robert Wise . Grace Kelly left the picture due her marriage to Rainiero of Monaco . Support cast is astounding : Vic Morrow (who died in accident while realizing ¨twilight zone¨ by John Landis) , Stephen McNally , Royal Dano and of course the villain Lee Van Cleef , pre-Spaghetti Western . Robert Surtees' cinematography and Miklos Rozsa musical score are awesome , both of whom subsequently would make super-productions (Ben Hur , Quo Vadis, Ivanhoe...).The motion picture was well directed by Robert Wise , author of various cinema classics . He was a successful director of all kind genres such as musical as ¨West side story¨, ¨The sound of music¨ , Sci-fi as ¨The day the earth stood still¨, ¨Star Trek : the motion picture ¨, ¨The Andromeda strain¨ , Terror as ¨The body snatchers¨ , ¨ Curse of the cat people¨, ¨Audrey Rose¨ , ¨The haunting¨ , Epic or colossal as ¨Elen of Troy¨ , wartime as ¨The desert rats¨, ¨Run silent , run deep¨ , ¨Hinderburg¨ , ¨The sand pebbles¨ and Western as ¨Blood on the moon¨, and this ¨Tribute to a bad man¨.

****POSSIBLE SPOILERS*******Glorious western morality story with a loose, authentic feel and look. Cagney plays a rough horse rancher intent on hanging anyone who steals his horses, regardless of the law. When a new recruit comes from the East (Dubbins), Cagney's girlfriend (Papas) re-evaluates the morals at issue and finds she can't live with Cagney. But, he too has changed his attitude -- after forcing a neighbor's son (Morrow) and his compatriots to march for miles with no shoes. Real human emotions and relationships are at the fore, and there are no pat solutions being offered here. Fantastic photography and involved directing. Van Cleef, for once, is seen without a gun in his hand, and no ulterior motives -- he's just a wrangler with a dry wit! A very refreshing western film with a good script.... one of the best of the decade.